Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jan. 28, 2012	Jan. 29, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (11,138)	$ (14,540)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization (including amortization of deferred financing fees)	177,735	177,818
Stock-based compensation expense	14,835	15,660
Property and equipment impairment charge	11,586	2,589
Deferred taxes	(1,375)	1,982
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	2,365	(573)
Decrease in other long-term liabilities	(40,356)	(32,525)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(36,334)	(20,694)
Net cash flows from operating activities	117,318	129,717
Cash flows used in investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of distribution center	18,000
Purchases of property and equipment	(123,471)	(82,072)
Net (increase) decrease in other noncurrent assets	(5,712)	5,889
Purchase of Borders Group, Inc. intellectual property	(14,528)
Fictionwise earn-out payments		(4,418)
Purchase of non-controlling interest		(300)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(125,711)	(80,901)
Cash flows used in financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of Series J preferred stock	191,380
Net (decrease) increase in credit facility	(211,500)	44,000
Cash dividend paid to shareholders	(3,118)	(44,783)
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	1,056	17,074
Purchase of treasury stock	(1,650)	(1,326)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	193	1,731
Payment of short term note payable		(100,000)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(23,639)	(83,304)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(32,032)	(34,488)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	59,429	60,965
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	27,397	26,477
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
Receivables, net	(246,560)	(249,970)
Merchandise inventories	(439,536)	(245,763)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(7,599)	(13,637)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	657,361	488,676
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net	(36,334)	(20,694)
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid	17,722	39,216
Income taxes (net of refunds)	2,179	17,854
Supplemental disclosure of subsidiaries acquired:
Assets acquired (net of cash acquired)		1,513
Liabilities assumed (including Seller Notes)		1,213
Cash paid		300
Non-cash financing activity:
Accrued dividend on redeemable preferred stock	$ 3,963